Remote Village Electrification by Small Hydropower Project in Assam

A study for development of strategic pathways for a cluster of three villages in Karbi Anglong district of Assam, viz, Bichithur, Borgang and Ahomborigang, based on decentralized energy plans to meet energy needs for subsistence is being taken up with the broad objective to develop an integrated energy plan which is flexible, adaptable, ecologically sound and an optimal mix of new and renewable energy sources. A survey of energy consumption and demand pattern has been carried out in the cluster. The questionnaires have been filled by old persons and head of the family of the surveyed households. A full menu of options is being considered hybridizing all possible renewable energy technologies, biomass, small hydro and solar energy, in an integrated system as convergence of RE technologies is considered as one of the facets of energy service provision affecting the livelihood opportunities of the poor and understood in the terms of how the poor value and use it.This paper thus presents the identification, design and development of a 1.8 MW small hydro power generation unit which will be an integral part of the blue print of a decentralized integrated energy plan for the area which may be taken as an example for rural upliftment in other remote villages of Assam.